Review of Seasons

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 40, 3 March 1937, Page 13

Review of Seasons

CLIMATIC FEATURES Variable Amount of Rainfall L0W HUMIDITY Kecords of temperatnre 111 Hawke's Bay were first taken in Napier dnring the years 1864-1866 - by the Royal Engineers, who were then stationed at Napier, and in 1868 these observations were cpntinued by the then Harbourmaster at a station at the Spit. After a break in 1869, these were resumed in 1870, at approximately the same site. These facts are mentioned in a review of the climatic conditiops of Hawke's Bay, issued by Dr, E. Kidson, Meteorological Director, Wellington, "The warmest month at all meteoroIpgical stations -in Hawke's Bay is January, and the coldest July," reports Dr. Kidson. "The range of monthly mean temperatures (Meeanee 16.6 degrces, Hastings 20.1 degrees) shows the influence of the land and the pre* vailing westerly winds, and are high compared with most coastal stations in New Zealand. ' 1 Mean temperatures are rather higher on the east coast than on the west, in spite of the fact that the latter ia to a large extent protepted from the cold southerly winds. This, also, is a land effect." Dealipg with extremes of temperature, Dr. Kidson states that readings above 90 degrees are uncommon, but 80 degrees is exceeded in most years from Noyember to March. At Hastings the extreme minima are low from May to AuguBt, when there is a liability to severe frosts. "The hottest days are experienced in north-westerly weather, due to the wind crossing the mountain ranges, while the lowest temperatures occur after strong and cOld dontherly winds when snow has f allen on the mountains. The extreme ranges so. far reeorded are Nelson Park 61.5, the Spit 64, Greenmeadows 66, and Hastings 71. "As would be expected, the grass minimum temperatures at Hastings are lower, and frosts more numerous than at Napier," aays Dr. Kidson. "Further inland, where there is extensive flat country, and a chance fqr the air to stagnate at night, still more severe ■conditions are experienced. The coldest positions are in depressions of flat land to which there is a gentle drift of the coldest air. These conditions may occur as late as November, and orchard trees and fruit may suffer. From June to August, frosts occur at Hastings most clear nights, and there is a possibHity of a ground frost any month, but the chanees in January and February are very slight." (Note: This last February two slight ground frosts were recorded). Ooastal Areas. North of Napier the annual rainfall is generally abQ.ve 40 inches, rising to 70 and 100 inches on the Tanges. South of Napier most of the coast has over 40 inches, with a small area at Maraetotara rising to over 70 inches. West of the coastal ranges — i.e., the Heretaunga Plain — there is a large area which has less than 4® inches, and one patch of the Tukituki river valley has less than 30 inches. On the Ruahines 80 inches are exceeded. The annual variation in Hawke's Bay rainfall is similar to that in North Auckland, North Canterbury and Marlborough, according to Dr. Kidson. The wettest season is from May to